MBA honors father-son builders -- a first in its history

When an organization does something for the first time in nearly 65 years, it’s special. Since 1953, the Metropolitan Builders Association has annually awarded its highest honor to one of its members. This esteemed organization is a stalwart in our community and does not take the award lightly. It recognizes builder members who conduct themselves and their business according to the highest ethical standards and who serve the MBA, its members, the building industry and the greater community.

The 2017 honor of Builder of the Year went to Don and David Belman. This is the first time the organization bestowed the award to a father and son. The Belmans epitomizes the tenets of this award.

At the MBA's Annual Installation Dinner, held at the Delafield Hotel on December 1, the newly installed officers of the association were named. As past-president and member of the executive committee, David Belman, president of Belman Homes, was there, but not privy to the honor he and his father would receive that evening. “It was surprise,” David said. “It is an incredible honor and I’m so proud to receive the award with my dad.” Don Belman, who is still active in the day-to-day operations of Belman Homes, was not present. Don Belman, an MBA member since 1985, was previously honored in 1996 as Builder of the Year. “My dad was so excited and proud that we were honored as father and son -- a first for the MBA.”

Belman Homes builds 30 to 40 custom, hand-finished, stick-built homes a year, and develops land throughout Waukesha. “We are proud of our service to the industry, building quality homes for our customers and providing good service,” David said.

The selection committee that chooses the Builder of the Year is made up of the past three honorees. Among the criteria, the committee looks for a member who has overcome personal and business challenges with the character and grace that truly embodies the word "builder" and all that it means.

When Don Belman Homes transitioned to Belman Homes, it was not without its challenges. “To take over a family business during a recession and grow it to be stronger is a testament to the strong company we have built,” David said. “You are only as good as the team you put together. We are proud of our staff, the strong relationships we have built with trades people and the product we build.”

The Belmans have a history of community involvement. Currently, Belman Homes and the MBA are working with Operation FINALLY Home to provide mortgage-free homes for deserving veterans. David Belman and the MBA have marshaled the trades, volunteers, businesses and members of the community to this effort. In May 2018, OFH, Belman Homes and the MBA will dedicate its fourth home in the Wisconsin and present a mortgage-free home to a veteran and his family. “This is something we are passionate about,” David said. “We are planning a fifth home. Community support is increasing and we are getting builders involved throughout the state. This is very rewarding for us.”

The Belmans have built a legacy worthy of this prestigious award. "We have worked hard to make Belman Homes a leader in the home building industry both as a builder, an industry advocate and in our community with our work with Operation FINALLY Home,” David said. "I am very humbled to receive this award, there are a great number of recipients of this award and to be included with them is quite an honor."

For more information on how joining the Metropolitan Builders Association can help grow your business, call 262.522.3620 or email membership@mbaonline.org.

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